[shoey]

Well, I finally got the front stuffer to the range. Its a Lyman Trade rifle in .54 caliber.

My first shots were to get the sights regulated. I replaced the fixed rear sight with the elevation adjustable sight that came with the gun. Windage is still adjusted by drifting the sight in the dovetail. To my surprise, my shots were within an inch of center, a bit off to the right. I doubt I could get it too much closer, so I left it.

Moved the target to 50 yards and started shooting some groups. Since I'm going for elk, I started with 100 grains of Triple 7 powder, which is near max load. If I needed to back off a bit for accuracy, I would, but my preferance was to get a load worked up right around the max.

Shot all 3 bullet types I had, 430 grain cast from Dixie, 435 grain Maxiballs by T/C, and 430 gr RN hollow base by Buffalo Bullets. All shot ok, but the Buffalo Bullets shot best. 2 shots nearly through the same hole and I pushed one low about 2 inches. Sighted 2 inches high at 50 yards.

So my load for out west is a 430 gr RN over 100 gr of 777. Sound good to the experts out there?

[Mike Weber]

Congrats Shoey:
Those hollow base buffalo bullets are a lot like the Minnies that I shoot in my muskets and I know that those work well on elk.

[shoey]

Thanks. I leave next Friday...startin to get excited!

[MtJerry]

Thanks. I leave next Friday...startin to get excited!

Is your travel route bringing you near Great Falls? if so, let me know and I'll give you my number ...

[shoey]

I will check with my Dad...not sure yet how he plans on getting there...

[CA357]

That sounds great. Have a safe trip and a good hunt. :up:

[Doug Bowser]

I have TC Hawkens in .54 and .50. The .54 has a 1 in 66" twist and does not shoot conical bullets well. Round balls shoot 1" at 50 yards. I have not fired the .50 but it has a i in 48" twist and I will probably try Minie balls and REAL bullets. I make my own ML bullets and these are the moulds I have. I also mould my own .54 round balls. The .50 Hawken was given to me unfired and I intend to rectify that next week. I will also try RB and patch in the .50.

I would think the .50 with a conical would be as powerful as the .54 with RB.

Jose Grande has a Renegade in .54. We were at the range shooting some Minie Balls I made up and we had a 2x4" target frame. Jose hit it and one shot broke the top horizontal 2x4 in half. A real thumper.

Good luck on your hunt.

Doug